Device for holding spring-actuated curtains.



No. 758,919. PATBNTED MAY 3, 1904.

I'. B. HOPEWELL.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRING ACTUATED CURTAINS.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 1, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

gnk

n ME n fr.. n "n,

lIO

UNTTED STATES Patented May 3, 1904.

FRANK B. HCPEVELL, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRING-ACTUATED CURTAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,919, dated May 3,1904.

Application filed December l., 1902. Serial No. 133.356. (No model.)

To all whom, it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. HoPnwELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cambridge, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, haveinvented an Improvement in Devices for Holding Spring-Actuated Curtains,of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying'drawings, isa specification, like letters on the drawingsrepresenting like parts.

rlhis invention relates to an improvement in devices for holdingspring-actuated curtains at different points of adjustment; and itconsists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafterdescribed, and defined by the several claims.

A leading feature of the invention consists yin the novel constructionof means for releasing the friction of the heads of the fixture againstthe window-casing, whereby the curtain may be moved upward or downwardand which is readily and naturally g'rasped by the operator. In thisfeature the invention is an improvement on the invention illustrated,described, and claimed in my prior application, Serial No. 128,408,filed October 23, 1902.

Another feature of the invention consists in the means whereby theentire mechanism inside of the curtain-rod may be readily and easilyremoved therefrom and replaced therein.

Further features of the invention consist in the general arrangement andcombination of parts hereinafter specified.

rlhe drawings illustrate different embodiments of the features of theinvention; but it is obvious that some of the features of the inventionmay be used in connection with other forms of apparatus and that changesmay be made in the forms illustrated without avoiding the spirit of theinvention. It is to be noted that while the form of head shown in myprior application above referred to is illustrated herein, yet thepresent invention is not confined to the use of such heads, and it isequally adapted for use with any form of head which cooperates with alongitudinally-movable rod inside of the hollow curtain-rod. Both themeans herein described for releasing the friction of the heads againstthe window-casing and the means for allowing ready removal andreplacement of the mechanism inside of the hollow curtain-rod areindependent of the construction of the head and adapted for use withvarious forms of head.

Figure l is a front view of a window-casing with the curtain andfixtures in place. Fig. 2 illustrates, partly in vertical section, aportion of the curtain-rod with its inclosed parts and one head. Fig. 3illustrates in vertical cross-section transverse to the curtainrod themeans for releasing the friction between the heads and thewindow-casing. Fig. i is a rear View of the parts shown in crosssectionin Fig'. 3, which are attached exteriorl y to the curtain-rod. Fig. 5illustrates, partly in horizontal cross-section, the curtain-rod, head,fragment of window-casing, and the parts shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6illustrates in cross-section a modification or difl'erent form of themeans for releasing the friction between the heads and thewindow-casing, although the same in general principle.

In Fig. l the outlines of the window-casing are shown with the walls B,wherein are formed the grooves wherein the heads of the curtain-fixtureslide. The grooves are shown in cross-section in Fig. 5.

A represents a curtain, and C a spring-actuated curtain-roll of ordinarytype.

D represents a curtain-rod, E the heads, and F the handheld by operationof which the friction between the heads and windowcasing is released inorder to permit rolling and unrolling of the curtain.

The heads E are illustrated as of the form shown in my prior applicationabove referred to, but, as previously stated, they may be of any formwhatever and act upon any portion of the window-casing whatever, thepresent invention not being concerned with the construction of the headof the fixture. The head, as shown, is much elongated, is screwthreadedat c into the end of the curtain-rod, whereby the length between the twoheads is capable of adjustment, comprises a side wall E, pivoted at c2and having' a lug or projection @3, against which the spring-pressed rodG acts, and is also provided at its ends with antifriction-rolls E2.

IOO

The mechanism in the interior of the hollow curtain-rod D consists, asusual, in fixtures of this type of longitudinal movable rods, springsfor actuating them in one direction, and means for adjusting the tensionof the springs. All these parts are mounted ina single frame S,removably attached to the hollow curtain-rod. As shown, this frame Sconsists of a piece of metal with depending bearing-lugs s2, alsoconstituting abutments for the springs H and sufiiciently far apart tosupport and allow for the movement of the ends of the rods G. This frameS is shown as attached by a small screw s' to the upper interior surfaceof the hollow rod D. Thus by simply unscrewing the screw s from theexterior of the rod D the entire interior mechanism of the rod can beslipped out from one end, one of the heads having been previouslyunscrewed or removed from the end of the rod. l

In the preferred form of this invention the rods G are provided with endpieces m m, f1tting over the ends of the rods G and attached thereto inany suitable manner, as by the pins or screws m. These end pieces m areconstructed with overlapping apertured projections in which thewedge-shaped projection of the handhold operates, and the walls of theapertures adjacent to .the wedge-shaped projection of the handhold aresuitably inclined or curved, as illustrated in Fig. 5, to conform to theoperating-surface of the wedge-shaped projection. One end piece ispreferably provided with a guiding-tongue m3, sliding in the aperture ofthe other end piece. Thisconstruction of overlapping end pieces rendersthe interior mechanism of the curtain-rod strong and rm. The springs Hhold the apertured overlapping end pieces at all times firmly againstthe wedge-shaped projection of the handhold, and this together with thecontact of the overlapping end pieces between them-V selves produces astrong construction.

The handhold in the preferred forni of the invention comprises a curvedplate O, fastened by any suitable means, as screws o, to the eX- teriorof the hollow curtain-rod, both this plate and the curtain-rod beingapertured to allow for the entrance of the wedge-shaped projection P.Attached to or integral with the plate O and projecting vertically abovethe same is a standard O. The wedge-shaped projection P is secured to aplate R, pivoted to the standard O at r and having its out- Wardmovement limited by a bevel r onthe Standard O. rIhe pivoted plate isdesigned to be neatly finished and may be marked, as'

indicated in Fig. l, with the word Push The operation of the device isapparent. rlhe springs H, which always tend to force the rods Gr apart,at the same time cause the rods G, acting against the inclined surfacesof the wedge-shaped projections P, to throw the pivoted plate Routwardly. When it is desired to release the friction between the headsand the window-frames, by simply grasping the handhold F the pivotedplate R will be moved inwardly against the curtain, causing theWedge-shaped projection P .to retract the rods Gr, or if the pivotedplate R is simply pushed by the operator the same result will follow.

The handhold thus described is equally adaptable to the operation of therods G shown in my prior application, hereinbefore referred to, and inFig. 6 it is illustrated in that connection. Here the pivoted plate Risprovided with oppositely-inclined projections P, which acting againstpins or antifrictionrolls m2 effect in the same manner the operation ofthe rods G. In this modified form the end pieces of the rods may bebrought quite closely together and the handhold reduced in size andcorrespondingly improved in appearance.

It will thus be seen that the handhold device of this invention isadapted to secure a firm, steady, and accurate movement of the rodsinside the hollow. curtain-rod, since it always moves in the same pathwith perfect accuracy-and is incapable of slipping, twisting, orbinding. No matter how hurriedly or in what manner the handhold of thisinvention is grasped by the person desiringto raise or 'lower thecurtain it is sure to be moved in the right manner to retract the rodsand release the friction between the heads and the window-casing, thusallowing easy movement of the curtain.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Pat-V ent, is-

1. A curtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headslocated at each end of said rod, means for causing friction between saidheads and the window-casing, comprising a spring-pressed rod locatedwithin the hollow curtain-rod, a frame detachably secured to theinterior of the hollow curtainrod and carrying the spring-pressed rod,whereby upon the detachment of the said frame the frame and rod may beremoved from the hollow curtain-rod.

2. A curtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headslocated at each end of said rod, means for causing friction between thewindowcasing and said heads, comprising a plurality of rods locatedwithin the hollow curtain-rod, a frame for supporting and carrying saidrods, located within and detachably secured to said hollow curtain-rod,

whereby upon the detachment of the frame the interior mechanism of thehollow curtainrod majT be removed therefrom intact.

3. A curtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headslocated at each end of said rod, means for causing friction between thewindow-casing and said heads, comprising a plurality of rods locatedwithin the hollow curtain-rod, a frame for supporting IOO IIO

and carrying said rods, located within and detachably secured to saidhollow curtain-rod, springs surrounding' said rods and abutting' againstsaid frame, whereby upon the detachment of the frame the interiormechanism of the hollow curtain-rod may be removed therefrom intact.

et. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headslocated at each end thereof, and means for causing friction between saidheads and the window-casing, comprising' long'itudinally-movablespring-actuated rods. a frame detachably secured to the interior of thehollow curtain-rod and provided with downturned ends constituting'bearings and supports for the longitudinally-movable rods, whereby uponthe detachment of the frame the interior mechanism of the cm'-V tain-rodmay be removed intact therefrom.

5. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headslocated at each end of said rod, mechanism for operating' said heads tocause friction between the same and the window-casing', a framedetachably secured to the interior of the saidcurtain-rod, andsupporting' and carrying' the said mechanism, whereby upon detachment ofthe frame the entire interior mechanism of the curtain-rod may beremoved therefrom intact.

6. A ci'xrtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headsattached to each end of said rod, each head having' a pivoted sideportion, long'itudinally-movable, spring-actuated rods located in saidcurtain-rod and pressing against said pivoted portions, a handholdhaving' a horizontally-pivoted plate provided with inclined surfacesadapted to act against said longitudinally-movable rods and retract thesame.

7. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headsattached to each end of said rod, each head having a pivoted sideportion, long'itudinally-movable, spring-actuated rods located in saidcurtain-rod and pressing against said pivoted portions, a handholdprovided with a horizontally-pivoted plate having op posi tel yincl inedprojecting surfaces acting against said rods, whereby they may beretracted.

8. A curtain-holding device, comprising' a hollow curtain-rod, headsmounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against thewindow-casing, comprising spring-actu ated rods mounted in saidcurtain-rod, overlapping apertured end pieces secured to said rods, ahandhold provided with a plate mounted to move transversely in saidcurtain-rod, and provided with a wedge-shaped projection acting' throughthe apertures of said overlapping' end pieces whereby said rods may beretracted.

9. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, headsmounted at each end thereof, means for pressing' said heads against thewindow-casing', comprising spring-actuated rods mounted in saidcurtain-rods, overlapping' apertured end pieces secured to said rods, ahandhold provided with a horizontally-pivoted plate having' awedge-shaped projection acting through the apertures of said overlappingend pieces whereby said rods may be retracted.

10. A handhold for a curtain-holding' lixture of the characterdescribed, comprising' a plate for attachment to a curtain-rod, astandard connected with said plate, a second plate pivoted to saidstandard and provided with oppositely-inclined surfaces projecting'transversely thereto, means for limiting' the swing'- ing of saidpivoted plate in both directions.

11. A handhold forcurtain-holding'fixtures of the character described,comprising' a plate for attachment to the curtain-rod, a standardconnected with said plate, a second plate pivoted to said standard andprovided with a transverse wedge-shaped projection, means for limiting'the swinging' of said plate in both directions.

12. A handhold for a curtain-holding' device of the character described,comprising' an apertured plate for attachment tothe curtainrod, astandard attached thereto, a second plate pivoted to said standard andprovided with a transverse wedge-shaped projection operating throughsaid aperture, means for limiting the movement of said pivoted plate inboth directions.

In testimony whereofl I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK B. HOPEWVELL. lVitnesses:

NATHAN HEARD, MABEL PARTELOW.

